Jobs and the Economy

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today lauded Senate passage of an amendment requiring military agencies – including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) – to purchase anchor and mooring chain from American manufacturers. DelBene secured passage of the amendment in last year’s omnibus, and is now fighting alongside Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to protect the requirement in 2017. “For more than half a century, Congress has been clear that taxpayer dollars should be spent on products m... Read more

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today blasted the Army Corps of Engineers for rejecting her call to comply with federal regulations and support American manufacturers. “For more than half a century, Congress has been clear that taxpayer dollars should be spent on products manufactured here at home, not overseas. Doing so not only protects American jobs, but also reinforces our national security,” DelBene said. “It is unacceptable that the Army Corps is continuing to ignore federal regulatio... Read more

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today praised the termination of an export subsidy program that gave China an unfair advantage in seven industries, including agriculture and aluminum. “China has illegally subsidized manufacturers and producers across seven economic sectors – several of which directly harm businesses and farms in Washington’s First District,” DelBene said. “I’m outraged by the unfair practices China has employed to manipulate markets and I will continue to fight for policies... Read more

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) called for the end of wage discrimination on Equal Pay Day, which symbolizes when, more than three months into the year, women’s wages finally catch up to what men were paid in the previous year. “It’s appalling that more than 50 years after passing the Equal Pay Act, women still make less than men,” DelBene said. “Women across our country – whether they are coders or U.S. soccer players – are being paid a fraction of what their male counterparts make. Equal ... Read more

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today joined more than 100 House colleagues in calling for pay equity between the U.S. Soccer Federation men’s and women’s national teams. “More than five decades after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, a woman still makes only 79 cents, on average, for every dollar earned by a man,” the letter to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) stated. “Paying people fairly for the work they do shouldn't be dependent on their gender, race or ethnicity.... Read more

A federal agency will be looking into the whether market manipulation is taking place in the aluminum industry. The U.S. International Trade Commission announced Wednesday, April 6, that it is launching an investigation to examine the U.S. aluminum industry and global aluminum trade. The study will include a public hearing as well as research into recent trade trends and the factors that increased supply and drove down prices in recent months. The drop in aluminum prices is one factor that led A... Read more

Dear Friend, Without a doubt, climate change is a serious threat to our way of life, our economy, our children and the future of our planet. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 2015 was the warmest year on record. Now, more than ever, is the time to act. One way I’m fighting to combat the effects of climate change is through efforts to encourage innovation and growth in the clean energy economy. Las... Read more

Considering one of the topics that President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could discuss during the Canadian leader's visit to Washington, D.C., later this week, it would be appropriate if Thursday's state dinner menu featured Columbia River salmon and wine from a Columbia Valley vineyard. Washington state Congressional leaders are hopeful that the meeting of the two leaders — the first state visit by a Canadian prime minister in two decades — will provide a push to two initiati... Read more

Today, Pacific Northwest Members of Congress urged the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Homeland Security to take proactive measures to prevent the heavy losses to agriculture businesses caused in 2014 and 2015 due to technical problems with the H-2A visa system. In their letter to Secretary John Kerry of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, nine Members of Congress, including U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA... Read more

Dear Friend, In this Internet age, broadband plays a significant role in our ability to communicate, do business and educate our children. But too many communities, especially in remote or rural parts of the country, don’t have reliable access. I recently heard from tribal leaders in the First District who told me about their struggles to get resources to improve broadband access. A report I requested shows government can and should be doing more to help our rural communities. The Internet is th... Read more